- Laboratory Safety Policy
- Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Hazard Communication Plan
- Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories - American Chemical Society
The Lab Safety Institute has compiled over 5,000 examples of accidents in labs for over 40 years. They have published these examples for purchase in bulk, or as a summary. Here is the index of other accident examples, and some of the worst in their 100 Years of Progress. Please contact x.2106 for access.
Blackboard Training Enrollment Instructions
- Lab Safety Training self-enrollment instructions
- TA/RA Lab Training self-enrollment instructions
- Employee EHS Training
Training
- General Laboratory and Chemical Safety Training - taken in Blackboard
- Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories - American Chemical Society Publication
- Laboratory Environmental/Waste Training (pptx)
- Autoclave, Disinfection, and Blood Borne Pathogens Training
Videos
- Lab Safety Institute Favorites
- Chemical Safety Board Videos- search for Experimenting with Danger and After the Rainbow
Humorous Videos
PPE may be purchased at the bookstore. If purchased elsewhere, it must match the same protection as those chosen for sale at the bookstore. i.e., same length lab coat down legs and long sleeves, same size and design safety glasses and goggles with indirect vents and Z87 impact rating.
Lab Coats
Lab coats must be full length to the knees with long sleeves. Dental coats or doctors coats do not provide sufficient coverage. A blend of polyester and cotton is recommended to retain both liquid and flame retardant properties. 100% polyester lab coats shall not be used with flammable or pyrophoric materials. 100% cotton absorbs chemicals more easily and burns hotter in a fire if they do catch fire.
Safety goggles
Safety goggles with indirect vents are required for use with liquids, as the risk of splash and drip into the eye is present. Safety goggles should fit the face well to provide a seal. Safety glasses may be used with dry materials, and are chosen to provide the most coverage.
Gloves
Gloves are not suitable for use with every chemical. There are many types of glove materials. Each type is compatible and incompatible with different materials. Search by chemical for the recommended glove type, and then by the manufacturer for breakthrough time (length of time use) for that glove thickness.- Example: Best Brand N-Dex regular disposable gloves are not suitable for concentrated sulfuric acid. They have a breakthrough time of 10 minutes or less.
- Some Different Glove Types and Uses
- Glove Selection by Chemical Search-Cole Parmer
- Chemical Resistance Guide - Permeation & Degradation Data
The UHCL Chemical Inventory is compiled within the OnSite Environmental Health & Safety Assistant (EHSA) software. A chemical inventory is required and serves several functions:
1) To know what materials are present and assess their hazards;
2) A location to store SDS's so that they may be reviewed when looking at chemicals
needed for an experiment for hazard planning and first aid purposes;
3) Use for several agency reports throughout the year (e.g., DEA, TCEQ, DSHS); and
4) Allow faculty to share or dispose of items.
Hazard Communication
- UHCL Hazard Communication Program 2013
- FMC HazCom-GHS Training
- HazCom Chemical Workplace List
- Comparison of NFPA & GHS Label information
- GHS Pictograms and descriptions
- New (Material) Safety Data Sheet (SDS) fields
- Spanish (Material) Safety Data Sheet (SDS) fields
- New GHS Labels - required by 2015/2016
Chemical Compatibility and Storage
- Berkeley Segregation and Compatibility
- Classes of INCOMPATIBLE Materials
- DOT Segregation Table (used for transportation safety)
- EPA Chemical Compatibility Chart
High Hazard Materials
- PYROPHORIC Chemicals – DOE Handbook
- PYROPHORIC Materials – University of Berkeley
- WATER REACTIVE Chemicals – University of Berkeley
- Peroxide Forming Chemicals Storage Chart
- Peroxide Forming Chemicals Labels
- UH-Biological Safety Manual
- UHCL Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan
- UHCL Autoclave, Disinfection, and Blood Borne Pathogens Training for Labs (taken in blackboard, in Employee EHS training shell)
- Autoclave Procedures
- Autoclave Log and Efficacy Testing Sheets
- Autoclave Bag Tags
See below for Biological Safety Cabinet and Fume Hood use information.
UHCL uses this software to keep track of regulatory obligations, inventories, permits, inspections, etc. Login is the same as your UHCL user id and password. There is also a searchable database hub for SDS.
Labs may be equipped with chemical fume hood(s) and/or biological safety cabinets. Here is information on safe work practices, how they work, and a decision matrix for selecting the right one.
Chemical Fume Hoods
- User information for Fume Hood Use
- Fume Hood design and Safety Summary
- Fume Hood Safe Work Practices
Biological Safety Cabinets
- Lab Waste Handling Chart - Overview of Waste Types
- Waste Labeling Instructions
- Waste Stream Information Form
- Broken Glass
See Biological Safety section for biological waste and autoclaving procedures.
Class 3b and 4 lasers must be approved and registered with the state. New laser proposals and new authorized users must be requested by sub-registration application or amendment to the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) x.2107 to obtain prior authorization and training.
- Notice to Employees
- Laser Radiation Safety Training - guests and visitors (taken in blackboard, in Employee EHS training shell)
- UHCL Certificate of Registration - License with the State
- Laser Safety Manual UHCL
- Laser Sub-registration Amendment form - to request new lasers or users
Laser Regulations and Requirements
Only individuals authorized by state license may possess and use radioactive materials. New users must petition, through the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) x.2107, an amendment to the present radiation license to obtain permission.
Radioisotope Regulations
- Texas Health and Human Services: Laws and Rules - Radioactive Materials Licensing
- 25 TAC 289.252 Licensing of Radioactive Material
- 25 TAC 289.228 Radiation Safety Requirements for Analytical Machines
- 25 TAC 289.231 General Provisions and Standards for Protection Against Machine Produced Radiation
- 25 TAC 289.255 Radiation Safety Requirements for sources of radiation used in machines
All equipment producing x-rays must be approved and registered with the state. New equipment proposals and new authorized users must be requested by sub-registration application or amendment to the X-ray Radiation Safety Officer (XRSO) x.2107 to obtain prior authorization and training.
- X-Ray Radiation Safety Manual
- X-Ray Equipment Application (sub-registration to request new equipment)
- X-Ray Equipment Amendment Form (to update users or equipment use)
- UHCL Certificate of Registration - License with the State
- Notice to Employees
X-Ray Regulations
- Texas Health and Human Services: Laws and Rules - X-Ray Machines and Services
- 25 TAC 289.226 Registration of Radiation Machine Use and Services
- 25 TAC 289.227 Use of Radiation Machines in the Healing Arts
- 25 TAC 289.228 Radiation Safety Requirements for Analytical Machines
- 25 TAC 289.231 General Provisions and Standards for Protection Against Machine Produced Radiation